Electrode holder



C. CAMILLERI Feb. 11, 1947.V

ELECTRODE HOLDERl Filed Dec. 1`, 1944 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Feb. 11, 1947 ELECTRODE HOLDER Charles Camilleri, Detroit, Mich., assgnor to Boi-don Mfg. Co., Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application December 1, 1944, Serial No. 566,071

17 Claims. 1

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an electrode holder adapted for use in arc welding operations. In electrode holders, a common difhculty encountered is a heating of the handle. Part of this heating is due to the heat generated by electrical resistance and part is due to radiated and conducted heat proceeding from the burning metal. Experience has shown that the heat in the holder centers in the metallic part thereof and that the handle becomes hottest at that portion in which the metallic parts are located. Consequently, with a holder constructed so that the operator cannot place his hand on that part which encloses the metallic parts', the operator is prevented from `gripping that portion' of the handle which may be undesirably hot. It is an object of the presentinvention'to provi-de an electrode holder so constructed and arranged that the metallic parts enclosed by the handle shall be positioned forwardly of that portion of the handle which ordinarily is gripped by thel operator when performing a, welding operation and also provided with means for preventing the operator, in the normal use of the holder, from placing his hand on that portion of the handle which encloses the metallic parts.

'Ihe heat generated from the heat of electrical resistance is generally encountered because the holder itself is not formed from metal of as high conductivity as the material of the cable through which the current flows. In the construction of an Yelectrode holder, it is desired that durability ofthe holder be provided and generally it'is necessary, in order to obtain the desired durability, to sacrifice conductivity. In electrode holders, the forward end is provided with the gripping portion which is usually termed jaws The cable is connected to a cup-shaped member which forms a well into which the bared end of the cable is inserted and this portion is usually called a cable connector. The cable connector is generally connected tothe jaws by an intermediate portion which may be referred to as a shank" or tongue In the construction of electrode holders, it is customary to form the cabiefconnector andshank or tongue and jaw portion of the same material, with theresult that the current passing'from the cable must pass throughthe cable connector and vthe tongue or shankfbefore reachin'gthe jaw portion 'in` which the electrode is clamped. @It is"believedobvious that by reducing the length of the material of low electricalconductivity through which -the current must pass, the heat of :electrical resistance would be reduced and by terminating the cable closer'to itt 2 the jaws, a more eiciently operating electrode holder would be provided. It is an object of the present invention to accomplish this and .to this end, I project the jaws directly from the cupshaped cable connector without the use of intervening portions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holder which, in addition to pro-V viding a cool handle, will also be light and highly efficient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision ofl an electrode holder having a minimum amount of metal employed in its fabrication and one which may be economically manufactured and easily and quickly assembled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrode holder having novel means for securing the cable connector on the handle and the provision of a construction whereby easy and quick assembly and disassembly of the holder may be effected.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various changes and modifications may be made in the detail of rstructure illustrated without departing from the invention itself and it is intended that such variations and modifications shall be encompassed within the scope of the claims which form a part hereof. l

Forming a part of this specification is a drawing in which, i l l.

Fig. l is a side elevational view of an electrode holder embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is asectional view'taken on line 2--2 1-of Fig. 1; f f Fig. 3 is a vsectional View taken on line 3-'-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4is a. fragmentary, sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing slight modification;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the handle, showing a slight modification. Y

In the drawing, I have illustrated an electrode holder embodying a tubular handle 9 of suitable insulating material, such as fiber or the like.' In` serted into one end of this handle 9 is a metallic cup-shaped cable connector I0 in which the bared end Il of an electric cable l2 is inserted and secured. Projecting directly fromthe for# ward end of this cable connector 'I0 is a lowerV clamping jaw or gripping member I3 'on which is pivotallymdunted an upper clamping'jalwfor grippingmember I4 having'the rockable handle l'projecting therefrom and encased by th'e in sulating 'covering' lli.` '-A layer IT `of-f'insulating material serves to cover the major portion of the upper jaw I4 and a layer I8 of insulating material serves to cover the outer face of the lower jaw I3. These jaws or gripping members I3 and I4 are normally urged into engagement with each other by means of a spring I9 and together form a gripping or clamping mechanism to grip or clamp an electrode in position for a'welding operation. The members I3 and I Il may be termed an electrode gripping or clamping mechanism which is movable to gripping and non-gripping positions. The handle I5 may be termed a sprmg pressed actuating h-andle for the gripping mechanism. The spring I9 bears at one end against the handle I5 and upon rocking the handle'in one direction against the :compression of the spring, the gripping mechanism ismoved to non-gripping position and the spring tends to retain the handle I5 rocked to position for retaining the gripping or clamping members in gripping or clamping relation.

I have enclosed'this spring in a pair of telescoping cups and 2|. The cup 2| is provided with an opening in its base through which projects a pin 22 carried by the rockable handle I5. The lower cup 29 is provided with an opening 23 in its base through which projects the stud or pin 24 extending outwardly from the periphery of the cable .connector I0 adjacent the open or rear end thereof. This cable connector I0 is held in spaced'relation to the handle 9 by means of suitable peripheral projections 25. In the form shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the lower cup 20 is provided with an outwardly'projecting'neck 26.

Formedin the handle 9 is an opening 21 of suicient'size to receive theneck 26 'of the cup 2). Extending forwardly'fromv this opening 21 is a slot 28. The forward end of the handle is out away asat 29 to provide the'desired clearance for the insulatingr plate' I'I and permit the handle to be thrust forwardly sufiiciently to cover the point of pivotal connectionibetwcen the jaws or gripping members I3 and I4. This pivoting is eiTected on spaced apart plates`30 which project upwardly from the rear end of the lower jaw I3. The pins 'c or studs 22 and 24 serve as locating or retaining means for locating the lposition of mounting of the spring and retainingthe spring in position so as to prevent its undue dislodgement. When the enclosing Cups are used, the pins also serve as retaining means for preventing undue dislodgement of the'insulating cups.

In making the necessary connections, the handle 9 is slid onto the cable I2, the bared end II is then inserted into the socket III so that'ts i' end terminates at substantially the base wall of this socket and this b'ared end I I is secured in the socket of the cup-shaped cable connector IIJ in any suitable manner. The handle is then slid into position and in this sliding movement, 'the groove 28-will serve to receive the stud or pin' 24 and the end of the, lower cup 20 will ride on the handle. When-,the -forward movement 2 continues so that the opening 2'! `is brought into registration with the-neckL 26, this neck will snap into the .opening Z'Iuntil thev parts rest inthe position shown in Fig. 4, whereupon, thel lower cup 20 vwill serve to` resist undue; removal of the handle. It is Abelieved obvious that, if desired; the handle may valso be secured to the shank II) by a' screw projected through the handleintoxthef shank I0. In this construction, it is obvious, particularlyfrom-Fig. 4, that the operator'icannot grip the handle 9 at that portion which V,contains the metallic parts; the spring ortherspring.en-

easement would prevent the sliding of the hand forwardly on the handle a suicient distance to grip that portion which encloses the metallic parts. If desired, openings 3| may be formed in the handle 9 just rearwardly of the end of the cable connector I0 so that these openings would provide a means of escape of heat which may be localized in theA metallic part I0. It is thus seen that I have mounted a means on the electrode holder to the rear of the metallic parts which prevents the operator from sliding his hand forwardly over the part covering the metallic parts. It is also to be noted that I have used a coil spring actuated holder having a cup-shaped cable connector with thespring located at its lower end at substantially vthe rear end of the cable connector itself instead of being located forwardly of the cable connector as is customary on coil spring-actuated holders of this type. It is also to be noted that the cable is brought close to the jawswhich clamp the electrode so that the distance between the electrode and the terminal end ofthe cable is considerably reduced over that required w-here an intermediate connecting means between the jaw andthe cable is used. In Figs. 4 and 5, I haveV shown a slight modication in which the-spring ISais encased by a lower cup 29a and anuppercup ZIa. The lower cup 20a is provided with anopening 23a in its base but the neck 26, which is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, has been eliminated froml the lower cup 20a. The handle 9a is providedwith a longitudinally directed slot 28a communicating with the lateral extension 32. When thehandle is slid in position, the handle may be-slightly rotated until the stud 24a engages inthe slot 32. The pressure of the lower cup 20a will-normally serve to resist a rotation of the handle 9a and resist undue removal of thehandle 9a. With a holder con.- structed in this manner, lightness is attained and a cool `handle is provided, thus relieving the operator of fatigue resulting from a hot handle and greater weight and also-producing a holder of greater eiliciency due to the shortened distance between the electrode' and :the electric conductor.

What I claim as new-is:

1. An electrode holder of the class described comprising: a metallic vcup-shaped cable connector adaptedfor reception of one end of an electric conductor; a-clamping jaw mounted on and-positioned forwardlyof said cable connector; aniauxiliaryjaw` in pivotal relation to said first mentioned jaw for clampingy an electrode thereagainst; a handle connected to said auxiliary jaw and overlying said'cable connector; a spring positioned between saidhandle and said cable connector for normally urging said jaws into clamping relation; means on the hollow portion of said cable connector adjacent the rear end for determining vthe locaton'of the lower end of said springend retaining the-lower end of said spring in suchlocation; and an insulating covering means for the lowerend of said spring terminating at a point vrearwardly 'of' the rear end of said cable connector. I

2: An electrode holder ofthe class described comprising: a metallic cup-shaped cable connector adapted for reception of one end of an electric conductor; a clamping jaw mounted on and posi- 1 tioned forwardly of said cable connector; an auxiliary jaw in pivotal relationv to said'rst mentioned jaw forl clamping an" electrode thereagainst; a handle connected to said 'auxiliary jaw and overlying said cable connector;-a spring pos itioned betweensaid handle and said cable connector for normally urging said-:jaws into clamping relation; means on the hollow. portion of said cable connector adjacent the rear'end for determining the location of the lower end of said spring and retaining the lower end of said spring in such location; an insulating covering means forfthe lower end of said spring terminating at a point rearwardly of the rear end of said cable :connector, and a tubular handle mounted on said cable connector and extending forwardly of said locating means and rearwardly thereof, said handle having a longitudinally directed slot proceeding inwardly from its forward end for reception of said retaining means.

3.*An electrode holder of the class described comprising: a metallic cup-shaped cable connector adapted for reception of one end of an electric conductor; a clamping jaw mounted on and positioned forwardly of said cable connector; an auxiliary jaw in pivotal relation to said first mentioned jaw forclamping an electrode thereagainst; a handle connected to said auxiliary jaw and overlying said cable connector; a spring ypositioned between said handle and said cable connector for normally urging said jaws into clamping relation; means on the hollow portion of said cable connector adjacent the rear end for determining the location of the'lower end of said spring and retaining the lower end of said spring in such location; an insulating covering means for ythe lower end of said spring terminating at a point reawardly of the rear end of said cable connector; and a tubular handle mounted on said cable connector and extending forwardly of said locating means and rearwardly thereof, said handle having a longitudinally directed slot proceeding in- Wardly from its forward end for reception of said retaining means, and provided at the inner end of said slot with an enlarged opening for reception of a portion of said covering means.

4. An electrode holder of the class described comprising: a 'cup-shaped metallic cable connector adapted for the reception of one end of an electric conductor; a clamping jaw mounted on and projecting forwardly of said cable connector; an auxiliary jaw in pivotal relation to said iirst mentioned jaw for clamping an electrode thereagainst; a rearwardly projecting handle on said auxiliary jaw overlying, in spaced relation to, said cable connector; a stud projecting outwardly from the periphery of said cable connector adjacent the open end thereof; a .tubular handle mounted on said cable connector and extending forwardly and rearwardly of said stud, the forward end of said handle being provided with a longitudinally directed slot for reception of said stud; a spring positioned between said first mentioned handle and said tubular handle for normally urging said jaws into clamping relation, the lower end of said spring being centered about said stud.

5. An electrode holder of the class described comprising: a cup-shaped metallic cable connector adapted for the reception of one end of anelectric conductor; a clamping jaw mounted on and projecting forwardly of said cable connector; an auxiliary jaw in pivotal relation to said iirst mentioned jaw for clamping an electrode thereagainst; a rearwardly projecting handle on said auxiliary jaw overlying, in spaced relation to, said cable connector; a stud projecting outwardly from the periphery of said cableI connector adjacent the open end thereof; a tubular handle mounted on said cable connector .and extending forwardly and'rearwardly of said stud, the forward end `of said handle being provided with a longitudinally directed slot for reception of said stud; a spring positioned between said iirst mentioned handle and said tubular handle for normally urging said jaws into clamping relation, the l.lower end of said spring being centered about said stud; and a cup-shaped covering for the lower end of said spring having an opening in its base for reception of said stud and retained in position by said stud to Vproject at its periphery rearwardly of the rear end of said cable connector.

6. An electrode holder vof, the class described comprising: a metallic cup-shaped cable connector adaptedfor the reception of one end of an electric conductor; a clamping jaw mounted on Vand projecting forwardly from said cable connector; an auxiliary jaw pivoted on said iirst mentioned jaw for grippingy an electrode thereagainst; a handle `connected to said auxiliary jaw and projecting rearwardly therefrom to overlie, in spaced relation, said cable connector; a spring pOsitiOned between said'handle and said cable connector for normally urging said'jaws into clamping relation, the lower end of said spring terminating adjacent the rear end of said cable connector; means underlying said spring for spacing the lower end thereof from said'cable connector; means for retaining and locating the lower end of said spring adjacent the rear end of said cable connector; and insulated covering means for the lower 'end of said spring vwith its periphery lying rearwardly 'of the rear end of said cable connector.

'7. An electrode holder `ofthe class described comprising: a cup-shaped metallic cable connector adapted for the reception of one end of an electric conductor; a clamping jaw mounted on andprojecting forwardly of said cable connector; an auxiliary jaw in pivotal relation to said first mentioned jaw for clamping an electrode thereagainst; a rearwardly projecting handle on said auxiliary jaw overlying, in spaced relation to, said cablevconnector; a stud projecting outwardly from the periphery of said cable connector adjacent the open Aend thereof; a tubular handle mounted on said cable connector and extending forwardly and rearwardlyof said stud, V said tubular handle having an opening formed therethrough for reception of said stud, said stud projecting' 'beyond the periphery of said tubular handle; a spring positioned, between said first mentioned handle and said tubular handle for normally urging said jaws into, clamping relation, the lower end of said spring being centered about said stud.

8. An electrode holder ofthe class described comprising: a cup-shaped metallic cable connector adapted for reception of one end of an electric conductor; a clamping jaw mounted lon and projecting forwardly of said cable connector; an auxiliary jaw in pivotal relation to said iirst mentioned jaw for clamping an electrode thereagainst; aV rearwardly projecting handle on said auxiliary jaw overlying, in spaced relation to, said cable' connector; `astud'projecting outwardly from the periphery of said cable connector adjacent the open end thereof; a tubular handle mounted on said cable connector and extending forwardly and rearwardly of 'said`stud, said tubular handle being provided.l with an opening through which said stud projects, said-stud projecting `beyond the periphery of said tubular handle; a spring positioned between said first mentioned handle andisaid tubular lhandle for normally urging said jaws intczclamping relation; and a. 'cup-shaped 'covering for Vthe lowerrendfof 'l' said 'spring engageable'with :said stud.v and retained in'position .by said stud to project at its periphery beyond the rear-endy of said cable connector.

' 9. In an electrode holder of the class described, a structure embodying a metallic cable connector ladapted for connection to one end of an electric conductor and a clamping jaw mounted onand extending forwardly of said cable connector; a 'cooperating jaw pivotally mounted on -said structure for clamping an electrode against said rst mentioned jaw; a tubular hand grip of insulating material extending at one end over and enclosing said cable connector; a handle connected to said cooperating jaw and'extending rearwardly therej from and' overlying the forward portion of 'said hand grip, in' spacedv relation thereto;.a spring positioned between said hand grip'and said handle and engaging both of the same for normallyurging said jaws into clampingrelation; and means on said cable connector atthe rear end thereof projecting beyond the periphery of said hand grip for "determining the location of the lower end of said spring and retaining the lower end of said spring in such location, said hand grip having an opening therethrough through which said means may project. i

10. An electrode holder of theclass described comprising: a metallic structure embodying a cable connector adapted for attachment to one end of an electric conductor and a clamping jaw mounted on and extending forwardly of said cable connector; a cooperating jaw pivotally mounted on said structure for cooperating with said rst mentioned jaw for clamping against an electrode positioned between said jaws; a tubular handle mounted on said cable connector, and underlying said jaw handle; a spring positioned between said tubular handle and said jaw handle for normally urging said jaws into clamping relation; an insulating covering means for the lower end of said spring; outwardly projecting'means on said cable connector adjacent the rear end thereof and projecting through and extending beyond the periphery of said tubular handle for determining the location of said insulating covering and the lower end of said spring andretaining the same in such location. v

11. In an electrode holder of the class described avstructure embodying a metallic cable connector adapted for connection to one end of an electric conductor and embodying a, metallic clamping jaw mounted on and extending forwardly of said cable connector; .a cooperating jaw pivotally mounted on said structure for clamping an electrode against said rst mentioned jaw; a handle connected to said cooperating jaw and extending rearwardly therefrom vand overlying, in spaced relation, saidfcable connector aspring positioned between said cable connector and said handle for normally urging-said jaws into clamping relation; a cup-shaped insulating member embracing the lower end of said spring; outwardly projecting meansv on said cable connector at the rear end thereof inter-engaging with said insulating member'and determining the location of the lowerA end of said spring and retaining the same linsuch location; a tubular handle on saidcable connector' and-projecting forwardly and'rearwardlyfoiv said outwardly projecting means and slidable-on`- to said cable" connector to lie'between said cableconnector and saidjinsulating member and provided with-an-opening `for reception of'said outwardly projectingA means; said outwardly projecting means extending beyondthe periphery-'orv said tubular* handle.

12.' In an electrode holder of the class described a structure embodying a metallic cable connector adapted for connection to one end of an electric conductor and embodying a metallic clamping jaw mounted on and extending' forwardly of said cable f connector; a cooperating jaw pivotally mounted on said structure for clamping an electrode against said rst mentioned jaw; a handle connected tosaid cooperating jaw and extending rearwardly therefrom and overlying, in spaced relation, said cable connector a spring positioned between said cable connector and said handle -for normally urging said'jaws into clamping relation; a cup-shapedinsulating member embracing the lower end of said spring; outwardly projecting means'on'said` cable connector at therear end thereof inter-engaging with said insulating mem'- berand determining the location of the lower end of said spring and retaining the same in such location; a tubular handle on said cable connector and projecting forwardly and rearwardly of said outwardly projecting means and slidable on to said cable connector to lie between said cable connector and said insulating member and provided with an opening for reception of said outwardly projecting means, said outwardly projecting means extending beyond the periphery of said tubular handle; and means for resisting slidable movement of said tubular handle relative to said cable connector, after sliding of the same thereon.

13. An electrode holder of the class described, comprising: a cup-shaped metallic cable conf nector adapted for the reception of one end of an electric conductor; a clamping jaw mounted on and projecting forwardly of said cable connector; an auxiliary jaw'in pivotal relation to said rst mentioned. jaw for clamping an electrode thereagainst; a rearwardly projecting handle on said auxiliary jaw overlying,k in spaced relation to, Said cable connector; a spring positioned between said cable connector and said handle for normally urging said jaws into clamping relation; an insulating member positioned about one end of said spring and lying between the same and said cable connector; a tubular handle slidable onto said cable connector in envelopingrelation thereto and lying b etweensaid cable connector and said insulation about said spring; and means for preventing axial movement of said, insulation and said endof said spring relatively to said cable connector upon the sliding of Said handle into enveloping position relatively to said cable connector.

` 1 4.,In an electrode holder of the class described, a gripping mechanism for,` clamping an electrode and embodying a pair of relatively movable parts, movable into gripping and non-gripping positions; a rockable handle connected to one of saidmembers and operative, upon rocking,V for moving said members into gripping and non-gripping position; a cable connector connected te one of said membersand adapted for connection to one end or" an electric conductor, said rockable handle overlying said cable connector in spaced relation; a tubular handle embracing said cable 'connector and projecting rearwardly therefrom-and forwardly of the rear end thereof; a stud'. projecting outwardly from said'cable connector beyond the periphery of said tubular handle, said' tubular handle having a slot formed therein, inwardly from one end thereof for accommodatingvsaid studupon the slidingv of saidttubular handle forwardly onto 9 said cable connector; and a spring positioned between said tubular handle and said rockable handle for normally urging said members into gripping position, said spring being centered at one end around stud.

15. An electrode holder of the class described, a. metallic cable connector adapted for connection to one end of an electric conductor, a clamping member mounted on and projecting forwardly of said cable connector; a co-operating clamping member for clamping an electrode against said rst named clamping member and movable re1- atively thereto into clamping and non-clamping position; a rockable actuating handle associated with said clamping members and projecting rearwardly therefrom and overlying said cable connector, in spaced relation thereto, and adapted, upon rocking in one direction, for moving said clamping members into clamping position and upon rocking in the opposite direction for moving said clamping members into nonclamping position; a stud projecting outwardly from the periphery of said cable connector, adjacent the rear end thereof; a tubular handle mounted on said cable connector and extending forwardly and rearwardly of said stud, the forward end of said tubular handle being provided with a longitudinally directed slot for reception of said stud, said stud projecting through said slot beyond the periphery of said tubular handle; a spring positioned between said actuating handle and said tubular handle for normally urging the clamping members into clamping relation, the lower end of said spring being centered about said stud; and a cup shaped cover for the lower end of said spring, having an opening in its base for reception of said stud and retained in position by said stud.

16. In an electrode holder of the class described, a metallic cable connector adapted for attachment to one end of an electric conductor; a rockable actuating handle associated with said cable connector and over-lying same, in spaced relation thereto; a stud projecting outwardly from the periphery of said cable connector adjacent the rear end thereof: a tubular handle mounted on said cable connector and extending forwardly and rearwardly of said stud, the forward end of said tubular handle being provided with a longitudinally directed slot for the reception of said stud, said stud projecting through said slot beyond the periphery of said tubular handle; a spring positioned between said actuating handle and tubular handle and engaging at its opposite ends with said handles for normally rocking said rockable handle away from said tubular handle, one end of said spring being centered about said stud.

17. In an electrode holder of the class described, a metallic cable connector adapted for attachment to one end of an electric conductor; a rockable actuating handle associated with said cable connector and over-lying same, in spaced relation thereto; a stud projecting outwardly from the periphery of said cable connector adjacent the rear end thereof; a tubular handle mounted on said cable connector and extending forwardly and rearwardly of said stud, the forward end of said tubular handle being provided with a longitudinally directed slot for the reception of said stud, said stud projecting through said slot beyond the periphery of said tubular handle; a spring positioned between said actu-` ating handle and tubular handle and engaging at its opposite ends with said handles for normally rocking said rockable handle away from said tubular handle, one end of said spring being centered about said stud; and a cup shaped covering for one end of said spring and lying between one end of said spring and said tubular handle, said cuped shaped covering having an opening in its base for the reception of said stud.

CHARLES CAMILLERI.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,347,776 Chadwick July 27, 1920 1,345,817 Williams July 6, 1920 1,628,926 Short May 17, 1927 1,781,930 Orr Nov. 18, 1930 2,003,196 Jackson May 28, 1935 2,067,230 Bowers Jan. 12, 1937 2,174,809 Varner Oct. 3, 1939 2,270,724 Brazitis et al Jan. 20, 1924 2,327,290 Rice Aug. 17, 1943 2,350,614 Jackson June 6, 1944 

